Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

332 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD.
with a little attention on your part in forwarding papers, fixed
instructions, &c., he might do it well enough, and he appears
to me to be taking a good deal of pains to that. If the
Eegister is defective, I will scarcely think it his blame. Scott
spoke with so much impatience of it that I did not think
meet to dwell on the subject. My own opinion is, since an
arrangement between you is understood to exist, it should
stand as it is for a season or a volume: at least it looks so
unstable to propose alterations by the time things are well
begun. If Scott sees the least symptom of your neglect of
Laidlaw, I find he is off at a tangent at once; and it is not
only that the want of his support would injure your work, but
what his name would effect in your opponent's: policy is
requisite even with the greatest heroes. Now that Laidlaw
has furnished one anecdote of the shepherd's dog, mine will
follow better next month. Go on with my Tales, so that I
may not say you will not publish anything. If any sheets
require to be sent to me, send them under cover to the Duke
of Buccleuch.
The reader will see by reference to a previous
chapter how little need there was for Hogg's supposed
menagement, and how simply Scott himself treated
the difficulty of Laidlaw as to the monthly Register.
The anecdote of the shepherd's dog referred to, and
which has been already noted in these pages, is a
piece of admirable composition, bearing very clear
marks of the master's hand. In a postscript to this
letter Hogg adds :
—
I spoke to Scott of our plan of an octavo edition of the
works. He is decided on the plan, and thinks it should be
put about immediately. He wishes for one copy of his pros-
pectus before he writes the new advertisement, which please
forward to him by next coach, reminding him shortly of the
purpose for which it is sent, or he may forget it among so many
concerns.